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Gresham Retreat Suggested Activities

Trying to decide if you should come stay? Whether it’s quiet relaxation or local entertainment, there is something in the area for everyone!

Dinner, Pubs

Gresham Lodge

Just across the lake from Gresham Retreat is Gresham Lodge. The menu rotates at times, and the Friday Night Fish-Fry is one of the best in the entire area. Decorated with rustic decor and one of the most impressive displays of mounted animals in the Northwoods, combined with excellent food and drinks, Gresham Lodge is a must-experience during your trip.

Additionally, during the summer months you can boat over for dinner and drinks, using the dock on the right side of the beach, making for a fun evening on the water.

Breakfast, Lunch

Northern Cafe

Great local place for breakfast and quick bites. It’s a known stop on the snowmobile trails with really excellent breakfast comfort food and drinks.

Dinner

Marty’s Place North

One of our favorite places to eat when we’re in the area is Marty’s Place North. They have an excellent chef, their menu rotates several times a year, and they’re really close. They also have a really great Friday Night Fish Fry for anyone interested. They are fairly expensive, and they do require reservations which sometimes need booked weeks or a month in advance, but if you can get a table they are worth the stop. You can view their current menu on their site below.

Dinner, Pubs

Otto’s Beer & Brat Garden

Good German food, casual dining. Thursday-Sunday evenings Memorial Day – Labor Day they have live music.

Otto's

Pubs

Liberty Way Tap House

Friendly service, great atmosphere, and a nice selection of craft beers on tap.  Serves pizza and popcorn, drinks are a bit pricey.

Dinner, Lunch

Tasty Take and Bake Pizza

If you’re looking for an easy dinner at the cabin, look no further than Tasty Take and Bake. They make a wide variety of delicious pizzas ready for you on your schedule when you call ahead.

Dinner, Lunch, Pubs

Monical’s Pizza

Great dine-in or carry out pizza place located right on the lake in Woodruff. Beautiful lake views from their dining room, along with a great drink, beer and cocktail list from the bar, make Monical’s a great stop for lunch or dinner.

Dessert, Dinner

The Wandering Chef

The Wandering Chef, or Chef Joseph, is a private traveling chef in the area who can be booked to cook a private meal at Gresham Retreat for you and your guests. He typically prepares a 3 course meal: salad, entree and dessert. He has served many groups in the area from 2 people to 24, but typically groups are 6-15 people. Clients pay the cost of groceries plus an hourly wage for the culinary work. Stay in and enjoy the peace at Gresham Retreat, letting Chef Joseph treat you to a fantastic meal!

Outdoor

Bearskin Trail

Recommended for hiking or biking in the summertime. Located between Lakeshore Drive and Front Street in Minocqua, behind the post office.

Outdoor

Torpy Park

In the summer: the beach, a playground, and music in the bandshell on Thursday nights. In the winter, ice skating is available.

Outdoor

Trout Lake Golf Club

Established in 1924, Trout Lake Golf Club is the oldest 18-hole golf facility in the Northwoods.  Open to the public, it boasts 18 scenic holes and an unmatched practice facility including 325 yards of range, a 7000-square foot putting/chipping green, a 3500-square foot bunker/chipping green and an exceptional pavilion for relaxing.

Outdoor

WinMan Trails

Mountain bike / hike / ski / snowshoe – 11 miles of mountain biking trails, 15 miles of hiking trails, 12+ miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and 5 miles of snowshoe trails.

Outdoor

Minocqua Winter Park

Minocqua Winter Park is one of the most popular Nordic Centers in the Midwest.  50 miles of groomed trails to cross-country ski and snowshoe amid the solitude and beauty of 6,500 acres of wilderness area.  Right outside the heated Chalet is the 600 foot, lift assisted, Squirrel Hill Snow Tubing Runs and the ice skating pond, making Minocqua Winter Park a true family adventure.

Outdoor

Snowmobile rentals

Gresham Retreat is a quick 1/2 mile ride from intersection #302 of Cross Country Cruiser trail #51 in Vilas County.  We’re a great home base for a fun snowmobiling adventure in the heart of the north woods trails.  Rent a sled from several Minocqua rental locations, leave your car and ride a quick 30 minutes back to Gresham Retreat following the East Boundary Trail.

We have experience renting from Minocqua Sports Rentals, which had easy access to the trails.

Snowmobile from Minocqua

Events, Outdoor, Shopping

Northwoods Art Tours and Waite Studio

Jill Waite, a resident of Lower Gresham Lake, maintains an art studio showcasing unique garden art, unusual indoor sculptures and functional stoneware. If you like art, wander Jill’s indoor and outdoor studio, open most Monday – Thursday mornings or by appointment, we recommend calling first.

If you happen to be in the area during the Northwoods Art Tours, Jill’s studio is just one of nearly 35 studios that can be explored. There are two tours annually, one near the end of July and another near the beginning of October. Information can be found on their site.

Outdoor

Swift Creek Croquet Club

Just down the drive from Gresham Retreat is the Swift Creek Croquet Club. Known to be a really fun time, Dale and Jenny invite you to play a few hoops of Croquet to learn the techniques, get to know the staff and the facility, and even have a glass or two of wine in a nice casual setting. Their schedule can be busy, so be sure to reserve a time ahead.

Outdoor

Chequamegon Adventure Company

Chequamegon Adventure Company provides rentals of bicycles, kayaks, paddle boats and more in Woodruff. The staff are great to work with and provide all the necessary gear for any adventure.

Indoor

The Waters of Minocqua

An indoor water park open year-round with several water slides and amusement for the entire family.  September thru June the water slide hours are limited to weekends.  See their site for hours and rates before planning a visit.

Indoor, Shopping

Gaslight Square

The basement level includes a large indoor mini-golf course and escape room fun for any rainy or cold day.  Great shopping center for clothing, household, and women’s boutique.  A giant antique shop on the upper level is worth exploring!

Events

4th of July fireworks and parade

A parade in the morning is followed by shopping and events during the day and fireworks at night.  More info at minocqua.org.

Events

After Loon Delight craft show

Mid-August each year this celebration brings artists together in Torpy Park with an all day arts and craft show with over 100 artisans and craftsmen combined with live music and food vendors.  More info at minocqua.org.

Events

Antique and classic wooden boat show

Mid-to-late June every year this boat show brings together classic boats and water entertainment.  This three-day event includes the boat parade, Min Aqua Bat waterski show, and a lot of other fun activities.  More info at minocqua.org.

Events

Beef-A-Rama

Late September each year brings more than 12,000 people together for the northwoods premiere event celebrating all kinds of smoked, cooked and otherwise prepared beef-based food in downtown Minocqua.  The event combines live music, vendor fairs, many food-based activities and a parade.  More info at minocqua.org.

Events

Minocqua Dragon Boat festival

Mid-August brings another festival to Torpy Park. Live music, dragon boat races, activities, food, and a beer garden.  More info at www.minocquadragonboat.com.

Events

Music in the park – Manitowish Waters

Late June thru early September, there’s live music from 4-6 PM every Sunday at Koller Memorial Park in Manitowish Waters, an 18 minute drive.  Food and drinks are available, as well as a beach for the kids to play and swim during the music.  Music also follows this event at several local establishments.  The weekly music schedule is available on their site:

www.music-in-the-park.com

Events, Outdoor, Shopping

Northwoods Art Tours and Waite Studio

Jill Waite, a resident of Lower Gresham Lake, maintains an art studio showcasing unique garden art, unusual indoor sculptures and functional stoneware. If you like art, wander Jill’s indoor and outdoor studio, open most Monday – Thursday mornings or by appointment, we recommend calling first.

If you happen to be in the area during the Northwoods Art Tours, Jill’s studio is just one of nearly 35 studios that can be explored. There are two tours annually, one near the end of July and another near the beginning of October. Information can be found on their site.

Grocery Store, Shopping

Coontail

Coontail offers both a sports and outdoor wear store featuring outdoor clothing and an inventory of outdoor equipment for both purchase and rental, and a market with all of your essential groceries. There are several sports locations, and the market is located in Boulder Junction.

Grocery Store, Shopping

Coontail

Coontail offers both a sports and outdoor wear store featuring outdoor clothing and an inventory of outdoor equipment for both purchase and rental, and a market with all of your essential groceries. There are several sports locations, and the market is located in Boulder Junction.

Indoor, Shopping

Gaslight Square

The basement level includes a large indoor mini-golf course and escape room fun for any rainy or cold day.  Great shopping center for clothing, household, and women’s boutique.  A giant antique shop on the upper level is worth exploring!

Events, Outdoor, Shopping

Northwoods Art Tours and Waite Studio

Jill Waite, a resident of Lower Gresham Lake, maintains an art studio showcasing unique garden art, unusual indoor sculptures and functional stoneware. If you like art, wander Jill’s indoor and outdoor studio, open most Monday – Thursday mornings or by appointment, we recommend calling first.

If you happen to be in the area during the Northwoods Art Tours, Jill’s studio is just one of nearly 35 studios that can be explored. There are two tours annually, one near the end of July and another near the beginning of October. Information can be found on their site.